ATKINS — For Matt and Rachel Hoien, farming is more than a way of life. It is a chance to do what they love and share that love with their three young children.

Matt and Rachel, along with their three children — Craig, 6, Audrey, 4, and Levi, 2 — farm 800 acres northeast of Atkins on State Highway 247. In addition to their own herd, they manage a 200-acre, 100-head commercial cow operation for the landowner.

Both Rachel and Matt were surprised to learn they had been recognized, but Pope County Extension Agent Phil Sims said they are a great example of the type of people that are selected to be Pope County’s Farm Family of the Year.

“It is definitely an honor,” Matt said. “I was surprised when Phil told me. I’ve got the best family in the world, but there are other people that are more creative farmers.”

Sims had a quick response for Matt.

“I told him, there may be farmers just as good, but none any better. Rachel and Matt are a prime example of the type of younger people we’ve got to encourage to get into agriculture. It’s a tough, difficult life, but without our farmers we’ll become dependent on foreign countries for our food supply.”

Matt moved to Central Arkansas in 1998 to work as a corporate farmer through the Tyson Pork Group after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Abilene Christian University. He said it was expected for him to attend college, although he didn’t love school.

“I knew I wanted to farm,” Matt said. “My degree is in animal science. I knew I didn’t want to be a veterinarian and I didn’t really love school, but it was expected of me. I’m glad I did it though, it helps me manage the farm.”

In 2002, Tyson closed production at the Atkins location and Matt began working for Gerald Johnston’s farm before leasing the land in 2009.

Matt said he prefers cattle to swine because cattle farming is always changing. Since taking over the operation, he has worked with the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) to complete projects that will decrease soil erosion and improve water quality through culverts, heavy use areas and tire tanks.

Matt has been able to have a shorter hay-feeding season by increasing the availability of grass after the implementation of a rotational grazing schedule which improves pasture utilization.

“We have been able to cut down on winter hay feeding,” Matt said. “We planted more winter annuals and perennials, stockpiled Bermuda for winter grazing and decreased the stocking rate per acre to cut down the need for winter hay.”

A pond pump station water supply provides water to two fields that previously had no water supply.

Matt said weather is the biggest challenge most farmers face. Too much rain or too little can make or break most family farm operations. His work with the NRCS helps keep Matt abreast to the latest advancements and agriculture programs.

“Farm work is seasonal,” Matt said. “And really, it is the fear of the unknown that can be the most frustrating.”

Matt and Rachel are always looking for ways to supplement their income and help their cattle operation meet its maximum potential while being environmentally friendly.

Instead of burning dead pine trees, they cut them and market them to local businesses, which grind them for chicken house bedding. In addition to selling the dead pine trees, Matt and Rachel cut the dead oak trees for firewood to sell.

Matt uses his equipment available to clean out chicken houses to provide an additional source of income. Rachel said sometimes the payment comes in the form of fertilizer for their own pastures and other times clean out is done for monetary value.

Matt grew up on his family’s hobby farm in coastal Oregon and said at a young age, he knew farming was the life for him. His love for farming encompasses an appreciation for living off of the land, hard work and living a family-oriented lifestyle.

“We like to do things together as a family,” Matt said of why farming is the best choice for his family. “The kids are still young, but they like to ride around the farm and see how things are looking. The kids and Rachel help when and where they can and will only help more as the kids get older.”

When the family does take a break, Matt said they stay close to home. They like to camp, fish and visit Branson for extended weekend trips.

Rachel and Matt decided to homeschool their children for the time being. Last year, Rachel taught Craig’s kindergarten year of the ABeka homeschool program and Audrey worked in the pre-kindergarten curriculum, while young Levi also participated in special learning activities.

Rachel graduated with a degree in education in family and consumer sciences (formerly known as home economics) from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway after she and Matt married in 2001. She said the decision to homeschool afforded her the opportunity to put her degree to good use.

“I never thought I would be a homeschool mom,” Rachel said. “But after having the opportunity to substitute in the local school, I really felt this is what the Lord was calling us to do. It’s probably not for everyone, but for now it is the best thing for us.”

Rachel grew up in Northwest Arkansas on a large broiler and commercial cattle operation. She was heavily involved in 4-H activities on the county and state levels. Her involvement in agricultural instilled in her a love of country life, but while the children are young, she is able to indulge in her other passion — cooking and homemaking.

“I love to cook,” Rachel said of taking care of her family. “I like to experiment and bake. My dad was an over the road trucker and my mom and brothers mostly worked the farm. I began cooking at an early age.”

Matt said because of Rachel’s culinary talents, there is no need for eating out. “I tell her this is the best place to eat,” Matt said with a smile.

Both Matt and Rachel agree farming and the country lifestyle aren’t options they chose, but a large part of who they are. Their strong sense of family extends beyond their family farm to their home church — First Baptist Church in Russellville, where both are active in a variety of activities.

Matt and Rachel both grew up attending small churches and said the decision to attend a larger church was difficult at first, but now consider their friends made at First Baptist to be extensions of family.

“We know that none of this would be possible without the guidance and direction of the Lord,” Rachel said. “We are continually thankful that our family has been blessed with the opportunity to live our dream.”